JFK-UFO conspiracy theories

JFK-UFO conspiracy theories are conspiracy theories that merge John F. Kennedy assassination conspiracy theories with UFO conspiracy theories. One scholar dates the "first full published statement of such a theory" to 1986. Fact-based sources roundly reject such theories. When asked to cite the 'most unbelievable theories' about Kennedy's death, scholar Mark Fenster answered: "I would put the entire genre of alien conspiracy theories in there. Most of them are focused on Kennedy's supposed knowledge of or interest in aliens and alien abduction. No doubt someone has alleged the reptilians did it. I prefer plausibility in my conspiracy narratives."
Background
On June 24, 1947, American civilian pilot Kenneth Arnold gave interviews about having witnessed a number of flying discs. Weeks later, on July 28, Arnold investigated the Maury Island incident, where he came to believe he was target of wiretapping. Arnold interviewed a Maury Island boat operator who allegedly had been warned not to discuss his sighting by men in black suits.
On November 22, 1963, United States President John F. Kennedy was assassinated while riding in a presidential motorcade.
JFK-UFO conspiracy theories
In 1986, conspiracy theorist George C. Andrews authored Extra-Terrestrials Among Us, accusing the CIA of the Kennedy assassination. Scholar of extremism Michael Barkun comments that "Andrew's political views are almost indistinguishable from those associated with militias, only his placement of extraterrestrials at the pinnacle of conspiracies identifies him as a ufologist."
In 1991, UFO conspiracy author Bill Cooper published the influential conspiracy work Behold a Pale Horse which claimed that Kennedy was killed after he "informed Majestic 12 that he intended to reveal the presence of aliens to the American people". Behold a Pale Horse became 'wildly popular' with conspiracy theorists and went on to be one of the most-read books in the US prison system. Cooper's claims are alleged to have influenced Oklahoma City bomber Timothy McVeigh.
Influence
By the 1990s, fringe conspiracy theories were being incorporated into popular fiction. On September 21, 1996, the fictional TV series Dark Skies premiered with a premise of a Kennedy assassination to cover-up the existence of aliens. Biographer Mark Jacobson linked Bill Cooper's theories to 90s popular culture, writing "There have been numerous Cooper sightings in The X-Files projects over the years. In one of the program's most famous episodes, 'The Musings of a Cigarette Smoking Man', the unnamed MJ-12-like operative known as the Cigarette Smoking Man assassinates President Kennedy".
Fueled by popular culture, more conspiracy theorists began linking UFOs to JFK. Jim Marrs was a JFK conspiracy theorist who served as a primary advisor to the film JFK. By 1997, Marrs's writings encompassed the UFO conspiracy theory as well. In 1999, conspiracy theorist Kenn Thomas authored a book speculating that Kennedy was killed to protect UFO secrets. That same year, John Keel speculated about a JFK-UFO conspiracy.
In 2011, paranormal author William Lester claimed to have uncovered a memo linking Kennedy to UFO disclosure attempts. In 2017, TV conspiracy show NASA's Unexplained Files aired an episode titled "JFK UFO Conspiracy" discussing that memo.
Beginning in 2018, conspiracy authors like Nick Redfern and Bill Birnes claimed that Marilyn Monroe was killed to cover-up UFO secrets she learned from President Kennedy. In 2021, fictional TV series American Horror Story: Double Feature similarly included Monroe and Kennedy being killed over their UFO knowledge.

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